f5 









Hollinger Corp. 
pH 8.5 



PS 1650 
.E9 T4 
1840 

i Copy 1 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES: 



Oa THE 



DEATH OF TECUMSEH, 



BSIirO All 



AUTHENTIC AND HISTORIC 1»0EM. 



/>v;^»- . 



f PHILADELPHIA^ 



rontTH OF iClT. 

1840. 




-^^ \^ 



^ 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 



^\i^ 



Argument. — The array march in pursuit of the enemy — Proctor and 
Tecumseh— The battle— Death of Tecumseh— An Episode— The inter- 
ment at River Raisin. 

The scene is laid at Maiden,— on the Thames, and at the River Raisin. 
The time is eleven days. 



The stars in beauty travelling to the west, 
Soon wear away the dewy hours of rest ; 
The hds of morning waken and behold 
The jeweird earth, — the curtains fring'd with gold. 

The early drummers as the day appears, 
Join'd with the fife, give music to the spheres — 
The warriors hear the animating beat, 
And rous'd from slumber bound upon their feet j 
Shoulder to shoulder solid they unite 
T' attend the words their leaders would recite. 
Soon Harrison approached with Shelby near, 
And these instructions with an accent clear, 
He to the army with emotion gave : 



132 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

" Kentuckians ! chivalrous, unyielding, — brave ! 
" To strike— to conquer have we pass'd the flood — 
" Now testify the richness of your blood. 
" They fled at rumour whispering your advance, — 
" Yea, ere they caught the anger of your glance ; 
" But we must press them with unwearied might, 
"Or they'll outstrip us and avoid the fight. 
"To climb the craggy steep of fame is hard, 
"But what can equal the sublime reward? 
" Their fears will be as wings to their retreat, 
" Hence, we as eagles must pursue with heat. 
" Privation, labour must our souls despise, 
" Or never we our names eternalize. 

" Johnson, lead forth your iron-bosom'd men, 
"The horse count off* and march in files of ten. 
" Wood, in the centre thy artillery form, 
" Whose organ notes will tune the thunder storm ; 
" Crittenden, Trotter, Barry, King, Desha, 
" The thick-set infantry in line display." 
The drums strike life with spirit-giving sound — 
With nerves in thrill the troops forsake the ground, 
Beating with rapid feet the dusty road, 
Movmg like darkness borne upon a cloud. 



BATTLE OP THE THAMES. 133 

The time the royals with the savage fled, 
The guilt of Proctor bath'd him cold with dread ; 
Oft as he deign'd to cast a look behind, 
The starry flag was imag'd in his mind : 

Thus a fell outlaw on a wizard plain. 
With hand made crimson in a victim slain, 
Flies with distraction to escape the cord. 
While stern- pursuing justice writes the word 
Deep on his heart ! He stops and lifts his hands, 
Dripping with murder ! — dumb he hearkening stands 
To catch the passing sound ; — the waving wood 
Dampens his soul and curdles up his blood. 
A remnant oak, scath'd by the whirlwind's breath, 
He apprehends a minister of death, 
Ready to seize and stifle in his life. 
Or search his being with the lifted knife; 
He wheels — but objects fright his eyes — 
From his own shadow he despairing flies : 

So Proctor's scarlet crimes distract his brain — 
His whirling mind reels dizzy on the plain. 

Barclay's surrender round the land had rung, 
Which rous'd king-idols with ambition stung ; 

12 



134 BATTLE OP THE THAMES. 

Crimson battalions like red moving flames, 
By Evans ruPd, advanc'd upon the Thames ; 
Baubee, an equal host — and Warburton, 
Who oft in Europe had proud standards won. 

These in conjunction at Moravia meet, 
Proctor to rescue from a swift defeat. 

Them at a distance, Proctor through the wood 
Beheld — which suddenly his mind subdu'd — 
He spurr'd to push his flight — so false his eyes, 
His friends deceiv'd him for his enemies ! 

Tecumseh mark'd him in a scowling mood, 
And flew, and met, and check'd him on the road. 
And question'd thus : " Why backward on the flight ? 
" And will you dare with single arm the fight ? 
" This path Kentucky holds ! Brother, you look, 
" As though by all your relatives forsook ? 
" See what a crimson cloud comes moving nigh ! 
" These be our friends ! Kentucky's name shall die !" 

w "TF tP ^IF ^fr 

Proctor in gaze stood fix'd — and wildly then : 
" Not possible deceiv'd ? Not royal men ? 
" Surrounded ! — from the lake, advance our host 2 
" Kentuckians here ? I'm sacrific'd ! I'm lost ! 



BATTLE OP THE THAMES. 13S 

" Our strength is weakness ! — bid the whole retire— • 
"They'll seize, they'll bind, they'll torture me with 
fire!" 

He scarce had finish'd when he wheel'd to fly — 
But, lo! Tecumseh check'd him with an eye 
Frowning, a meteor gleaming o'er the land, 
Prophetic of a pestilence at hand. 

" You snake of poison tooth ! but dare depart, 
" And me with rifle will explode your heart ! 
" Tecumseh long has kept his soul in chain— 
'.' But now his vengeance, tempt it not again ! 
" You plunder, talk of fire, and scalps and blood, 
" But when big danger come you never stood ! 
" I joy'd when Croghan smote you down to death — 
" What evil spirit brought you to your breath ? 
" You man of wind — of noisy tongue in talk, 
" Indian speak less but straight in duty walk. 
" You captives murder for the pleasure's sake— 
" But you Cawataw burnt them at the stake ! 

" In war Tecumseh is the sign of death ! 
" But smother'd never he an infant's breath ; 
" But you rejoice to take the suckling's life — 
" You spare no stooping mother nor the wife ! 



136 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

" Tecumseh prides to meet with warriors strong, 
" But not the aged with the whisthng tongue. 
" You bad at heart — now bad man fears to die — 
" That pales your cheek at sight of enemy ; 
" A good man heeds not death — he stand — he fight — 
" Big sound of thunder-war his mind dehght ; 
^' The Spirit Great his soul with lightning warms, 
" And should he fail, he mounts above the storms !" 
He ceas'd. But still the threatening of his look 
Aw'd Proctor's soul more than deep words he spoke ; 
His colour went and came — now white, now red — 
And now he chok'd and stammer'd with his dread. 
If on the chief he deign'd to cast an eye. 
Cowering it fell — his virtues tower'd so high: 
So have I seen a guilty slave appear. 
When stern his master search'd his faults severe; 
Sweating cold dew, he'd raise and fall his sight, 
Sinking, joints trembling — hating of the light. 

#^ ^ ^ ^t, 

TT TP •7?' TV 

Oft be essay'd to answer, but in vain. 
His tongue was cramp'd as fasten'd with a chain. 
At length the thought quick flash'd upon his mind, 
To give the boon the king had him design'd, 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 137; 

At Maiden by a messenger express'd — 
The tumult there alarm'd it from his breast. 
He hands the sash with cunning work inwrought. 
And thus proceeded to make calm his thought: 

"Tecumseh, mighty chief! griev'd I confess, 
"That lost in many cares-7-my wrong no less, 
"Than to withhold this princely gift from you, 
"Receiv'd at Maiden at the time we flew. 
"This will create thee second of the field, 
"For thou hast prov'd incapable to yield. 
"Accept the boon — 'tis special from the king, 
"A lofty honour on thy name to bring."- 

Thus he. Tecumseh then : " White man be so — 
"He hides his darkness with deceiving show; 
"Not Indian thus; when crossing stars turn back, 
"We show our feelings by the sorrowing black; 
"But when they pour success upon our head, 
"We paint the pleasure by the white and red. 

"Now as respect design'd me by the king, 
"I give him thanks, but not accept the thing; 
"To me no use — in nature's wildness born — 
"My father taught to treat such gifts with scorn, 

"And thus to me he talk: 

12* 



138 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

' Tecuttiseh, son, 
"'Behold our tribe in white-man folly run. 
"*I feel the weight of years— and soon my tongue 
" ' Will teach no more to guide your footsteps young, 
" ' Open your ears — and what my words declare, 
" * Do thou my son in deep remembrance bear : 

"'Beware the white-man — oily in his talk 
""Tis sweeten'd poison — never straight his walk. 
"'Beware you shun religion that he teach, 
" 'One way he act another way he preach; 
"'To-day he tell, intemperance burn within, 
"'And on the morrow urge you to the sin! 
'"Beware your dealings with the white-man blood, 
"'He give you trinkets for substantial good. 
" ' Great Spirit gave to Indian, buffklo, bear — 
"'The deer and elk — so bounteous was His care; 
'"Because we treated these his gifts with scorn, 
" ' His anger grew, and we are left to mourn. 
" 'Use no deceit, except to snare thy foe: 
"'But when he yields, him sparing mercy show. 
" ' Despise a coivard as no soul of man, 
"'Despatch him with the axe — he'll shame thy clan. 

"'Thy mother cherish with attention kind — 
'"To you her feeble years are now resign'd. 



BATTLE OP THE THAMES. 139 

" 'Think of her labour in the sun for thee, 
"'And how she lap'd you on her tender knee; 
"'Do thou her love with equal care repay — 
"'Be thou her staff in her declining day. 

"'Tecumseh, son, thy father's words regard, 
"'And thou wilt meet in happy fields reward. 

" ' Wish not for age — 'tis fiU'd with grief and pain — 
"'Be wisdom thine while thou shalt here remain, 
"'Let that be short or long — then fear thou not 
" 'Thy name will be in future years forgot. 
"'Tfiy mind still flourishes when all is lost, 
" ' The rest soon melts away like autumn's early frost.* 

" This was my father's teaching. Shall I now 
" Forget his voice ? — to silken net-work bow ? 
" No : deep within my heart his words shall rest — 
" Lock'd in the centre of Tecumseh's breast. 
" Never you'll gain my friendship with your gauze, — 
" To wield the battle-axe — sublime the cause, — 
" Is feasting to my soul ! Come — fear no more ! 
" Display thy warriors — wake the music roar 
" Of earthquake turbulence. From Thames' steep 

bank, 
"Marshal your lines; — the stream will guard their 
flank; 



140 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

" The Prophet and Tekelah shall combine, 

" And, from yon marsh, will I extend the line. 

" The Thames will fence your left, — the swamp, my 

right ; 
" Thus will we stand and swallow up the fight !" 

Proctor beheld th' advantage of the ground. 
And, on his stirrups rising, look'd profound 
With aspect grave, which fools for wisdom take — 
At length he thus, as if from dreaming, spake : 

" Tecumseh ! heaven hath kept thee for this hour, 
" To crown with triumph my defeated power ! 
" The past appears a momentary dream, 
" Or the faint glimmer of a wat'ry beam, 
"That looks through murky clouds, when the moon 

pale, 
" Wades in thick mist and all the star-lights fail ; 
" But now my mental energies are clear 
" As noon-day light — no spot upon the sphere — 
" To thee the praise I give — 'tis only thou 
" That with new vigour could my soul endow. 
" Marshal the tribes according to thy plan ; 
'* Here will we plant ourselves — fight man to man. 
" Thy scarlet brothers on the left will stand, 
" And guard with death the passage of the land ! 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 141 

^' Distrust me not. I feel sensations new, 
" Thrilling my nerves their standards to subdue. 
" In Croghan's strife, my bosom faiPd of breath, 
" But now I'm nerv'd to fight the fight of death ! 
" We shall — ^we ivill prevail ! My nerves are strong 
" To roll in thunder with the strife along !" 

Vaunting he spoke. Tecumseh bent his head 
In moody silence, doubting what he said ; 
But still he felt a something in his breast, 
That openly his inward thoughts express'd. 

Brac'd with the strength which in his bosom stirr'd, 
He join'd his warriors — rous'd them at a word : 

" Now face we death ! Each choose his sheltering 
oak, 
' Give ground no more. Let every heart be rock !" 

As when the herald of infernal name. 
Calls forth hell-labourers to the work of flame ; 
They hear the roughness of the clarion sound, 
And rise in darkening multitudes around : 

So when Tecumseh gave the embattling word, 
His clans arose with features stain'd abhorr'd. 

With veteran judgment he displays the line 
To bleed the ranks where horse and foot combine ; 



142 BAl'l'LE OF THE THAMES* 

A morass deep gives safety to his right — 
Himself in centre stands, a bulwark in the fight. * 

Proctor had join'd his regal forces now — 
To whom like eloquence his accents flow : 

" Chambers, Warburton, Evans, Reynolds, all 
" Who war for princely titles — hear the call ! 
"Prepare for combat! On the left extreme, 
" Level the cannon to elance the flame ! 
" Than tliis^ no farther shall their flag advance — 
" We meet them here with death's inheritance ! 
" In coward flight no longer will we fly — 
" Our strength augmented they must yield or die ! 
" Here will we stand and drive Kentucky hence — 
" Won is the field when Albion makes defence ! 
" Pale fear cast back^vard to the waning moon — 
" This day we shine in glory with the sun ! 
" Conquer but now, Columbia is our own — 
" Behold, we win an empire for the Crown ! 
" Let every Briton flame with fire his breast — 
" We fight, we conquer, and we rule the West !" 

His squadrons heard and wonder'd at the sound, 
And thought his soul was touch'd with the profound 5 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 



143. 



They felt a gladness in their bosoms new, 

For now they judg'd their leader would be true : 

Thus near the Falls that break Ohio's flood, 
Thick stagnant waters had for ages stood, 
Breeding all monstrous animals of earth, 
Toads, scorpions, lizards — millions at a birth. 
Green Putrefaction with pestiferous breath, 
Exhal'd from rotten lungs cadaverous death. 
Behold, Industry comes with nervous hand 
And drains the marshes from th' infected land: 
The toads, the scorpions and the lizards die, 
And Putrefaction gasps in agony ; 
Exuberant Health comes blushing in the breeze — 
The grape, the lily, and the loveliest trees 
Leap into life. The city* smiles serene 
To mark the prospect of the living scene. 
New life, new joy, her every fibre thrills — 
A laughing happiness her bosom, fills : 

So, Proctor's voice reanimates to life 
His downcast legions to maintain the strife. 
The columns presently in lines display, 
And scowl defiance at the gathering fray. 



* LouisviJIe. 



144 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

Mean while full breasted the Kentuckians drive 
To crush the swarming of the savage hive. 
Swift as their enemies before them fly, 
They leave behind their every luxury, 
On which they feast in bountiful supply. 

Thus for three days ambitious they pursue 
The enemy — to have with arms an interview ; 
But on the fourth, as from meridian height, 
The sun his gold diffus'd — the Johnsons light 
On the same ground where Albion spent the night. 
The half extinguish'd watch-fires smouldering by, 
Give truthful notice of their standards nigh. 

Shelby, the Johnsons, Harrison, Adair, 
Croghan the youth — Whitley with hoary hair, 
Barry, Crittenden — ornaments of earth — 
Simral and Thompson, gems of brilliant worth, — 
Stand in a group with feelings emulous — 
And Harrison elate to Johnson thus : 

" Behold arriv'd the harvest day of fame ! 
" Thrust in thy sickle — reap a glorious name ! 

" Ply the quick spur — dash bounding up the stream ; 
" Search you the foe, ere farther we advance — 
** Trace fiis position with a wary glance. 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 



145 



" Notice if still receding in his flight, 

" Or marshal'd on the plain to brave the fight." 

Fleet at the summons Johnson plied the goad — 

Dash'd along rapid and devour'd the road ; 

As burns an arrow from an archer strong, 

So eager flew the chief and shot along. 

His plume, white tipt with red, stream'd far behind, 

And danc'd redundant in the liquid wind. 

He curb'd his charger on commanding ground, 
And jealous mark'd the gather'd host around. 
Flam'd at the sight his ardent soul took fire — 
His every heart-string shiver'd with desire : 

Thus had a mariner for three long years, 
Travers'd the eastern and the western spheres. 
At length home bound he makes the headland near — 
But, lo ! a mist becloucs the objects dear. 
At noon — before the gale it scattering flies, 
And Charleston opens sweet as Paradise ! 
His soul is floating in a tide of bhss. 
Transported, tearful with his happiness : 

So Johnson felt the passion of delight 
T' observe the allies ready for the fight. 

His bosom calm'd — he kenn'd with warrior skill 
Their manner of defence — wheel'd,— made the hill 

13 



146 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

Where stood the chiefs. They listen to his voice : 

" The hour hath come that bids us to rejoice ! 
" Our anxious thoughts and weary toils are o'er — 
" They stand implanted on yon heath before ! 
" The posture of defence is artful chose — 
" Their left extreme is where the river flows. 
" A park of cannonry their ranks support, 
" With levell'd flame our energies to thwart. 
"Tecumseh's strength is partially concealed 
" By the thick growth that overshades the field — 
" He holds the right. A morass deep, at hand, 
" Will make it vain to flank upon his band. 
" Hence, we must meet them open in the field, 
" And arm to arm our ready falchions wield. 

" I to thy judgment would with deference plead, 
" The charging onset of the war to lead." 

Him Shelby answers : " To approach with horse 
" Against train'd infantry a novel course ; 
" Yet will the charge succeed — 'twill awe impress 
" By its bold daring — leave them weaponless." 

To Johnson, Harrison : " Brave man move forth- 
" Known is thy valour and thy patriot worth. 
" Proud in the senate hath thy tongue proclaim'd 
•* The nation's honour, which the vile defam'4. 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 147 

" Thine every thought is to thy country given^ — 
" Now hft thy glory to the hght of heaven. 
"We shall be near thee to sustain thy path, ^"^ 
" And glean the field with desolating wrath. 

" Thy brother, rich in fame will lead the right 
" Against the imperials in the shock of fight, 

" Whilst thou wilt thunder on Tecumseh's line, 
''• And prove the virtue of thy origin. 
*' The infantry will charge with steel in hand, 
*• When once with blood we mark thy lifted brand. 

" Divide thy warriors for the bold assay^ — 

" The aged chief will nerve them for the fray." 

# # # * * 

The horse stand column'd. Shelby's accents flow 
Warm from the heart and kindle on his brow : 

" Let one deep feeling animate the whole^ — 
'^ Hot chafe the bosom — rouse the smother'd soo!. 
<* Long have you toiPd the enemy to meet — 
'• Endur'd the winter's cold — the summer's heat ; 
*^ These toils are now no more — we charge them 

home — 
" A day to live in future years hath come ! 

" Do not strange passions in your bosoms beat^ 
•* Kindling your souls with an immortal heat ? 



148 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

" Yea, I behold in every eye the fire, 

" Glancing the language of the heart's desire 

" Joy thrills the chords of hfe to mark the blaze ! 

" Strong in the strength of liberty up-raise 

" The Eagle high in air — her wing to heaven 

" Expand ! fame — fame eternal to your deeds be given ! 

" Let him who dreads the shock with timid heart, 
" Back from the honour of the day depart. 
" Never I'll stand beside a coward slave — 

"None shall advance who fear to find a grave! 

# # # # # 

"None — none retire! Each heart is ribb'd with 
steel — 
" Unconquerable band ! What bhss I feel ! 
" I seem in bloom of life ! — my years made young — 
" A flood of transport drowns my ravish'd tongue ! 
" Let vour advance be death — a chain of fire — 
" In wrath let murderous enemies expire ! 

" But when they kneel, then soften'd be as do^vn — 
" Let mercy raise the subjects of the Crown. 
" 'Tis heaven's first virtue ever to forgive, 
"Hence let the vanquish'd gentleness receive. 

" And should the fight give Proctor to your hand, 
" Let not his blood be seen upon the land. 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 149 

" Death is a boon too rich for him to have — 
'* The field of battle is the warrior's grave ; 
** By such an exit half his crimes would fade — 
" To fall with heroes»would exalt his shade. 

" Silent move forth till they elance the blaze, 
" Then — then the passions to a phrenzy raise ; 
"And while the Eagle screams along the sky, 
" Charge on with death — charge on with chh^alry T* 

His language gave a quickening to each part. 
And seem'd to wind like lightning round the heart 1 

The colunms silent their positions take, 
And list to hear the sounding bugles break 
The summons to advance. Still as the breatli, 
That faintly languishes at sleep of death, 
The elements remain as though they felt 
The time at hand when sun and stars would melt ; 

No leaf, the forest stirs 

Harrison, his sword, 

Waves! — deep the sign — more forcible than word. 

***** 

At once the buo^les answer with a sound. 

That seems to shake the bosom of the ground ; 

It strikes the breathless army on the rear, 

Like judgment trumpets when the dead appear ! 

13* 



150 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

The mounted cohorts at the signal note 
Move forth hke clouds when on slow air they float — 
Each heart strong-beating with the pulse of hfe 
To reach the field and mingle in the strife. 
With dauntless eye they mark upon the heath 
The ranks displayed to melt them down to death, 
Fix'd in their purpose ere they force the charge, 
The planted foe should stream his fire at large. 

Proctor, crime-smitten, at the bugles' sound, 
And Elliot trembling, vanish'd from the ground. 
But Reynolds potent thus ; " Fear not, nor move ! 
" Now the firm-heartedness of England prove ! 
" And let them come ! With pointed weapons strong 
" We'll strike them prostrate in the dust along. 
" Think of our Alfred's, Henry's, Marlborough's blood 
" Who thrice their strength victoriously withstood ! 
" And shall ive give and falsify their name ? 
" Never ! — we'll die and hide us from the shame ! 

"Mark! they approach! — Waken — kindle your 
ire — 
" Mix steel with steel — and melting fire with fire !" 

Through every breast his words electric run — 
A hurrying death elanc'd from every gun, 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 151 

Solid at once ! the motion was so fleet, 
The blaze scorch'd heaven unbroken in a sheet ! 
Again they peal ; — the third — not time have they — 
The Johnsons charge and fierce begin the fray : 

Loud as the crash of tempest-shiver'd oaks — 
As dashing waters boil o'er pointed rocks — 
As foaminoj billows breakino^ on the shore — 
xAs peahng thunders round the welkin roar, 
Such the vast tumult, — such the deafening jar, 
As dash the columns in the charging war. 
The .horses' feet deep echo to the skies — 
Thick clouds of dust in volumes vast arise. 
Dubious, half hid, the maddening ranks appear — 
Now their plumes show like live things in the sphere, 
The rest is all obscure — save now and then 
The heads reveal themselves of tallest men — 
Like the moon wading through a depth of clouds, 
She shines a moment, then her ghmmering shrouds — 
On — on they bound as lightnings' fiery sweep, 
In blood the bosom of the earth to steep : 

As when black whirlwinds from th' equator driven, 
Split the dark clouds and dash them loose through 
heaven — 



152 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

Bend the weak birches — rend the knotted oak, 
O'erwhelm the wilderness with besom stroke ; 

Sheets of black dust eclipse the solar ray — 

The mountains groan — earth reels beneath their sway ; 

Ruin flies wasting on red wings of fire — ♦ 

The cavern monsters howlingly retire : 

The mounted thus like whirlwinds thunder on — 

The elder Johnson tramps the Britons down. 

Deep from their front he having strew'd the dead : 
" Battalions ! — wheel and rush the rear !" he said — 

The patriots turn — but ere they ply the heel, 

Th' imperials crouch beneath the weight of steel ! 

But, lo ! Tecumseh resolute withstands 
The furious onset of the charging bands. 
Rice, Coleman, Thomson, Whitley, Church, — unite, 
The centre squadrons of the foe to smite. 
Tekelah, Prophet — with their strength oppose, — 
Foaming dehrious — blows resound on blows. 
Tecumseh's voice the wrath of battle pours. 
Maddening the fight which sounds to Erie's shores : 

" Warriors ! draw blood till every heart be dry ! 
" Like rocks which break the thunderbolts on high, 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 153 

" Stand in the strife ! As lightning blasts the heath, 
"So strike and blight the enemy with death!" 

His clan shrill answer'd with infernal scream — 
Sharp glancing fires from flint-struck rifles stream: 
Supported thus Tecumseh awful moves, 
Like some dark ghost in lightning-kindled groves. 
As grass before the blade in summer dies. 
So on the field sink friends and enemies. 

In different parts are different actions seen, 
Equal the bravest of the brave of men ; 

Whitley, Tekelah, svv^ollen with their rage, 
With reeking axe in combat dire engage : 

As when two panthers meet upon the heath, 
And grapple desperate with their claw^s and teeth ; 
Nor this nor that gives ground — in fearful mood, 
They gash, and gash — their bodies smear'd with blood : 

Thus W^hitley and the brawny savage close — 
And thus from sunder'd veins the crimson flows. 
At length the hoary veteran smites his brow ! 
Tekelah whirhng sinks beneath the blow, 
Blood from his nostrils in a stream doth flow. 

Now Whitley, glancing at Tecumseh's form. 
Dark with the horrors of the rising storm, 



154 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

Rushes to quench the brand that flam'd the war, 

His white locks waving in the troubled air, 

He stands — he draws the weapon to his eye — 

The sparkles catch the dust — the ruins fly 

To search him through the heart! — but by quick 

wheel, 
At the brief instant that the hammer'd steel 
Fretted with fire, his Heath, Tecumseh shunn'd — 
Yet purple drops fast trickle on the ground — 
Deep through his shoulder is the gory wound. 
Fierce he recoils upon his aged foe — 
Rapid he hurls the never-failing blow ; 
The coated axe, thick matted o'er with hairs, 
Wide through his convoluted bowels tears ! 
As sinks an aged ehn before the blast, 
So fell the veteran and expir'd his last. 

Tecumseh, forth, when he the sage had kilPd, 
Dash'd like a tempest o'er the burning field, 
Kindling the strife ! — A butchering host rush on 
To scalp his hoary locks to please the Throne ! 
A Throne hypocrisy declares to be 
The last — last bulwark of Christianity ! 
Prophet insatiate — storming in his might, 
Leads on the wild-men to the murderous rite. 



BAfTLE OF THE THAMES. l55 

Thompson dismounts his charger at a bomid, 
And fronts the howHng savage on the ground 5 
His bold battahon render him support ' 
To guard the body with a proud effort : 
As two dark roUing streams from adverse hills, 
Supplied with water from a thousand rills, 
Mingle with madness in the vale below— 
So Thompson's v/arriors mingle with the foe. 

As round they wield the axe, gore stains its edge — 
Man crowds on man in battle's dreadful wedge. 
At times the slaughter thins the stifling press, 
But that auo^ments, not makes the carnaire less— 
By giving freedom to their arms and breath, 
The axes drive more sure the stroke of death. 

At length the Prophet on the soil is laid, 
Biting the dust 'neath Thompson's glittering blade — 
The cannibals give way — the patriots seize 
Whitley the prize, — and from the slaughter, raise 
And bear him forth to those upon the rear, 
Who place the veteran on his martial bier — 
A bier more honour'd than the bed of state, 
Where kings are laid to make their burial great, 
But soon Corruption's breath consigns them to their 
fate. 



155 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

As Thomson's band with Whitley's corse withdrew 
Johnson the younger flam'd the conflict new : 

" Kentuckians ! elevate the soul on high, 
" As in the days of ancient chivalry ! 
" Rise — fight, — spare not — fight on with courage bold, 
*' Like Clarke and Estill in the times of old 
" With Logan by their side ! Smite down the foe — 
*' Let savage monsters fall at every blow !" 

He put his valour forth, — and, like a star 
Blazing th' elements, shone in thickest war. 
His banded strength pursu'd ! — The battle roars, 
Like outrag'd ocean breaking on the shores. 
Like showering hail sharp whistling whiz the lead, 
And every volley magnifies the dead. 
The heavy noise reverberates around — 
The gushing blood makes drunk the thirsty ground : 

As when from mountain tops small streams descend, 
Swelling and maddening as their channels bend ; 
The brooks augment to rivers as they flow. 
Which roar and foam, and flood the vales below: 

Like this the turbulence. The Thames turns red — 
The field around with darkness overspread. 

Lo, Johnson glancing at Tecumseh nigh — 
They stand and roll at each a lowering eye. 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 151" 

As two dark clouds frown opposite in ire, 
Muttering deep thunder with their brows on fire — 
So frown they dismal with a tightning breath, 
Each threatening each with violence of death. 

The pausing o'er, — Tecuinseh, to his face. 
His rifle bears to end the Johnson race — 
Slaughter the foremost of Kentucky's sons. 
Within whose veins a tide of honour runs ; 
He blinds the vision of his left — his ridit 
Burns like the polar star in wintry night. 
And fastens on the bead — the ruins fly 
And tear his hip and lacerate his thigh — 
One breaks his hand that holds the guiding rein, 
But saves the patriot falling with the slain. 
For, lo ! unerring it had reach'd his breast. 
But the wrist bones obliqued it to the west ; 
Yet unappall'd the hero in his right 
Retain'd with iron grasp his weapon tight : 
His mind so riveted he felt no pain. 
Though fast his trickling drops bedew'd the plain. 

Tecumseh rushing, rais'd his axe to throw 

The whirling hatchet with unfailing blow — 

Johnson presents the hidden death ! — he aims — 

Touching the spring — searching of life it flames ! 

14 



158, BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

Beneath his Hfted arm swift flies the shot, 
And opes the fountain of his bosom hot — 
The sixth rib fractures — heart throuofh centre rent — 
The passion'd blood spouts hissing from the vent. 
With feeble force Tecumseh throws the axe — 
His arm gives way — his strength dissolves like wax. 
He reels — he sinks to earth — he gasps — he dies — 
His soul ascends its native paradise : 

So once in years gone by the mammoth trod 
Kentucky's wilds as some superior god ; 
A bolt of thunder from a cloud in heaven, 
Against the iron of his skull was driven — 
He shook it off! another leap'd amain — 
Like to the first he glanc'd it on the plain ; 
Another soon from out the magazine 
Came lightning drove to search his heart within ; 
Between his ribs of brass it rent its way, 
And through his shoulder forc'd itself to day — 
Staggering he fell ! Earth groan'd beneath the blow, 
As if a mountain had its overthrow : 

Thus fell the great Tecumseh in his might. 
And with him fell the spirit of the fight. 

Now Johnson's charger wounded through his life 
By balls that shower'd like April rain, in strife, 



BATTLB OF THE THAMES. 15^: 

Sinks fainting to the earth, deform'd with gore, 
And all the glory of his strength is o'er. 
He paws the sanguine heath with dying throes, 
Eyeing his master whom he yet still knows ; 
And for a time forgets his sweating pains 
To see him pale and weltering on the plains. 
No more within his eye the fire abides — 
Each expiration bathes his milk-white sides 
In scarlet foam — but when his breath inspires, 
The vital fountain in his chest retires. 
Faint and more faint his mouth is on the plain — 
At times he lifts it up — but now, alas, in vain I 
He turns upon his side — he gasps for breath — 

He chills, he shivers in the pangs of death. 

# # * * * 

Harrison, Shelby, lead the army forth — 
The wild men scatter broken to the north ; 
The elder Johnson thunders on their rear. 
And hurls them slaughter in their path severe. 

While this transpir'd, the younger Johnson lay 
Bleeding by slow degrees his life away ; 
His eye mov'd languid and his lips grew pale. 
While in his ear death sung his doleful tale. 



160 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

Thomson and Barry, Crittenden and Payne, 
Haste to remove him, weltering on the plain. 
On a soft litter with an easy tread. 
They bear him backward from the scene of dead. 
On downy pallet in pavilion large. 
To anxious surgeons they resign their charge — 
Who forth with skilful hands the vein suppress, 
And sprinkle water in his marble face — 
But all of no avail — his eyelids close 
Half down — and half the fading eye expose. 

The soldiers sighing past the tent would stray, 
And cast a iook^ — and wish themselves away ; 
Yet would they stand and linger round the brave, 
Whispering to heaven his valued life to save. 
Fast by his couch his weeping nephews stood. 
And pressed his cheek and wip'd the oozing blood. 

Meantime the sadness through the army spread, 
Their favourite chief was number'd with the dead ! 

His conquering brother having sheath'd his blade,, 
Crimson'd with slaughter in the battle made. 
Now catches the report that loads the gale — 
Various but icy the pathetic tale. 

He seeks the tent with heart in solitude — 
Enters — he stands — his eyes with tears bedew'd, 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 161 

Pressing his hand ! Pent sighs his soul betray, 
To see his brother languishing away. 

At length the utterance of his tongue returns, 
Whilst with aftection all his bosom yearns : 

" Wake, O my brother ! listen to my voice ! 
" One breathing whisper wijl my heart rejoice ! 
" O but one farewell from thy lips be given, 
" And I '11 resign thee, if I must — to heaven." 

The hero waken'd at the well-known tongue, 
And with soft press his hand with trembling wrung — 
Lifted the curtains of his eyes serene. 
And cheer'd his brother with a smiling mien ! 
A bless'd sensation shot along his soul. 
As boreal light that quickens round the pole : 

Thus a fond mother sunk with grieving wo, 
Marks in her infant each convulsive throe. 
Sickening to death. Deep, solemn, silent, pale. 
She counts the pulses as they ebbing fail. 
Lo, while she stands thus rack'd with her despair, 
Her dying infant smiles a healthful air ! 
Her heart is ravish'd at the joyous sight — 
Her every fibre shivers with delight : 

So when the wounded from his faintness smiPd^ 
Each anxious bosom with its transport thrill'd. 



162 BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

They lean to listen — yet they inward fear y 

That they intrusive will disturb him near. 

" Thy voice my brother hath new wak'd my life, 
" And call'd it back from death's conflicting strife ; 
" But O how rich the luxury to die, 
" When circled in the arms of victory ! 
"I scarce can thank thee — yet thou know'st mj 

heart — 
" I meant not so — till death shall hurl his dart, 
" Cheerful will I with resignation live, 
" And all my powers I '11 to my country give — 
" For her I bleed — to her devote each day, 
"Till heaven shall lap this mortal dust in clay." 

Here he half fainted on his brother's breast, 
But found a pillow there as soft as angel's rest. 

The meantime Sugget with a chosen band, 
Seeking for Proctor, bounded o'er the land — 
With stimulating spur they urg'd their way. 
Swift as strong falcons searching for their prey. 

The sire of Proctor mark'd the perilous state 
Of his begotten, hopeless, desperate. 
And snatch'd him from pursuit. Lost from his view, 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 163 

Sugget gave o'er the felon to pursue, 

And backward wheeling to the field withdrew. 

Till setting sun the dead the patriots urn, 
Ready at day triumphant to return. 
They dream of home and all its sweets, at night. 
And wake solicitous at early light. 
The numerous captives in the centre stand — 
A measured league they stretch along the land. 
The ancient guns'* that Hull to Brock resign'd, 
Are with due honours to the front assign'd. 
Arms, martial instruments, luxurious spoils, 
Fall to the brave to recompense their toils. 
And now their march for Sandwich they pursue — 
On the sixth day the lake expands in view. 
The fleet a passage to Detroit afford. 
Where to their place the cannon are restored. 
This done, for Raisin they advance their way — 

They reach the fatal ground at eve of second day. 

# * * # # 

Alas, the scene that opens on the sight ! 
The fields around with untomb'd bones are white ! 

* Captured from the British at the battle of Saratoga. 



W^ BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 

From every eye the drops of grief descend : 
Some mourn a brother — some, a bosom friend — 
The son, his hoary sire — the sire, his son, 
Adown whose cheeks the triclding sorrows run. 
Murderers, their captives now ! but yet no look — 
No vengeance threatening of their hves is spoke ! 
But to their cruel enemy they show 
A kind indulgence — every grace, bestow ; 
Yea, were they brothers, friends — instead of men 
Who late had acted such a death-cold scene. 
They could no more, than bounteous they received 
From hands whose souls unrighteous they had grievM, 

At length, Kentuckians form'd upon his right, 
And those that murder'd opposite in sight, 
Shelby begins : " The brave are ever great, 
" Through every scene, in high or low estate ; 
" I've seen you sufter by a merc'less foe, 
" Without a wrinkle knitted on your brow ; 
" I've seen you rush to war sublime in soul, 
" And fire and carnage through the battle roll ; 
" I've seen you bind their wounds — their anguish heal, 
"When they have knelt beneath your threatening 
steel — 



BATTLE OF THE THAMES. 



165 



" My heart was gladden'd to behold these scenes, 
" In future bards to wake immortal strains— 
" Though these achievements bright as heaven appear, 
" Yet not they ever can with this compare. 

" Here on my right I see my children slain, 
" Whose bones are whitened by the sun and rain ; 
" Here on my left, the murderers captive stand, 
" Presented generous with kind Friendship's hand ! 

" Historic Muse ! thy lengthened scroll display, 
" Bring the past acts of nations into day ! 
" Ken every syllable — line, word and page, 
" From Time's first dawning to the present age — 
" Where can you point the page, the line, the word, 
" That will with this exalted deed accord ? 
" None — none appears ! A virtue new must rise — 

" Pen it, O Muse ! and waft it to the skies ! 

# # # * # 

" My heart is full. Sad office now remains : 
"The martyr'd relics, scatter'd o'er the plains, 
" Collect and shroud in dust — then, with a tear, 
« Pay the last tribute to the warrior's bier." 

Slow move the patriots with a weeping eye, 
Anxious their brothers, fathers to descry. 



166 BATTLE OP THE THAMES. 

But O how vain ! Distinctive marks are lost — 
Save the bleak frame, all moulder'd into dust ! 

How must this scene subdue the heart of pride ! 
Let not the young the aged nerve deride. 
Here lies, O thoughtless youth ! a form once fair, 
A glowing heart that never felt despair ; 
His lambent eye did once on beauty rove — 
Pierc'd her soft bosom with the looks of love ; 
These charms are fled — sad change ! now all remains 
Are whiten'd bones stretch'd naked on the plains ! 

The grief-pale mourners place them in the earth. 
While the soul's fountain from their eyes streams forth. 
With clay-cold dust they shroud them from the view, 
And sigh with aching hearts their long, and last adieu ! 

Slow as they homeward move, lo ! from a cloud, 
Fredonia's voice is heard more sweet than loud ; 

*' Mourn not nor weep — their spirits rest on high — 
*' Mourn not nor weep—the martyr'd never die! 




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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




016 211 909 6 ^ 




This Historic Poem was written some years past, with no 
other view than to render a just tribute of praise to all who shared 
in the perils of that ever memorable event, which saved the de- 
fenceless frontier inhabitants from the scalping knife and tomahawk 
of the Indian allies of Great Britain, under the lead of the renown- 
ed Chief Tecumseh, who fell in single combat by the determined 
arm of the Gallant Richard M. Johnson, who now, by the 
voice of the American people, fills the second office in their gift, 
as a token of gratitude for a life devoted to their service, to whom 
this poem is respectfully dedicated 

By their devoted servant, 

WILLIAM EMMONS. 



w ^ 



